Hidden Treasures

A Road Trip to Discover Athens

So many of us dream of visiting one of the myriad of exquisite travel destinations overseas…white beaches, romantic getaways, historical architecture, famous galleries and museums.  But quite often we overlook what we have – the beauty, the history, the amazing – right here in our own back yard.  Complete vacation destinations or simple day-trips, we have it all here in our beautiful country. A quote I love by Marcel Proust states “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” I was reminded of this on a recent trip I made with my daughter to Athens.  Athens, Ohio that is.

My daughter Kat had an appointment in Athens, so we decided to make it a Mom-Daughter Road Trip, something we hadn’t done in quite a while.  Saturday morning, loaded up with the requisite road trip supplies (coffee; water; snacks of the crunchy, salty, and sweet variety) and a full tank of gas, we turned on the GPS and headed toward the mountains.  It occurred to me that morning that we (society in general) would be in a lot of trouble if our satellites and power grids were ever compromised because there is a whole generation coming up that has never had to read a map!  But I digress and that is pondering for another day.

Getting There

The drive to Athens was starkly beautiful; stark because the trees had not yet started blooming and their bare branches stood against the background of snow still on the highest peaks, and beautiful because the blue skies and spring sun painted the promise of what would be in just a few more weeks. We laughed at memories, and sights we saw along the way, and listened to music continually adjusted as our ears popped and muffled with the elevation.  We finally drove out of the mountains and across the Ohio River, where the state line is marked right in the middle of the bridge.  A short time later we arrived in Athens.

Established in the early 1800s, Athens is nestled in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, steeped in history and beauty.  It is the home of Ohio University, so many of its advertised “places to go” are geared toward the youthful crowd…pubs and craft breweries, coffee shops, music stores and kitschy shops…but much of the old architecture and rich history has been maintained and honored, so there is much to see even for the older crowd.  Original brick streets; historical buildings; music; theater offerings; public art by artists like Maya Lin, an Athens native, and the late David Hostetler; create a vibe that is fun, educational, and totally eclectic.

Experiencing Athens – Day One

Our first morning in Athens we had breakfast at the Court Street Diner, a silver metallic diner in the 50’s retro style, with a long counter and old-style mixers cranking out thick milkshakes (even at 8:30 in the morning). Kat went with an old breakfast staple…biscuits and sausage gravy – soft, fluffy buttermilk biscuits and creamy, peppery gravy with bits of pork sausage.  Trying to strike a healthier note for at least one meal on this trip, I decided on the Spinach Frittata, loaded with sautéed spinach, mushrooms, onions, bacon and Jack cheese.  The food was delicious, and, as an added bonus, we struck up a conversation with some locals who were excited to tell us about the spirit and family-feel of the town.

After breakfast we spent the rest of the day taking in the history and beauty of the town, and of the surrounding areas.  Athens sits between several state parks, and is surrounded by dozens of hiking and biking trails.  As you drive around town, you can’t help but notice the giant, looming structure sitting atop a hill along the Hocking River.  The massive structure, now known as The Ridges, was the site of the Athens Lunatic Asylum/Mental Health Center.  Built in 1874, it was a state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital, with over 700 acres of land that supported the asylum’s orchards, dairy, greenhouse, gardens, and more.  Many of the old buildings are now being used by the University, including the old Main Administration Building, which now houses the Kennedy Museum of Art.  The architecture of the buildings is magnificent, and you could spend the entire day hiking the beautiful grounds and not see close to all there is to see.

From The Ridges, we meandered through the steep hills and winding creeks in search of the three remaining covered bridges still in use in Athens County.  Built in the 1880s, these bridges were designed to support horse-drawn carriages and are now a testament to the craftsmanship of the era.  The Kidwell Bridge and the Palos Covered Bridge, both over Sunday Creek, and the Blackwood Covered Bridge over Shade Creek, were very similar in design and look.  But they each had a unique feel as we walked around taking pictures, and as we drove through them imagining a time long ago.

Experiencing Athens – Day Two

I spent the following day by myself while Kat went to her meetings, which gave me plenty of time to leisurely roam the area looking for more historical treasures.  Finds like the First Presbyterian Church on Court Street, which has been meeting in the same spot since 1809, and has been in the current building, with beautiful stained-glass windows and all-original woodwork, since 1903.  And the stunning architecture of the Old Courthouse, built in 1880 and still in use today.

I also found the iconic White’s Mill, which has been serving the community since 1809.  Once a working mill with a history of building and rebuilding after numerous disasters over the years, White’s Mill now sells plants; gardening supplies; locally-sourced items like honey and maple syrup; and beautiful art pieces by local artists. The owners were so friendly, and more than happy to show me the antique seed scales still in use today, and the old grain grinders once used to make the flours the mill was known for back in the day.

I ended my treasure hunt walking the streets around downtown Athens and ducking into the many eclectic shops like Blue Eagle Music, Banana Road, Artifacts Gallery, and Donkey Coffee…and meeting a multitude of friendly, helpful Athenians along the way.

Kat and I had dinner that night at Sol Restaurant and Bar, a casual dining experience with Caribbean and South Florida-inspired dishes, along with some traditional American fare.  She chose the Make Your Own pasta combination, while I enjoyed the Pina Colada Shrimp, served in pineapple coconut sauce over rice, with a mango salsa.  It was perfectly seasoned and delicious.

The Road Trip Ends

The drive home was anti-climatic after our two-day adventure.  It rained most of the way, and the fog settled over the mountains, making it feel like we were driving into the clouds.  We were anxious and excited to get back home to the family, including our fur babies, and tell stories about our excursions.  Not surprisingly, many of our stories seem to end with “Next time we go back to Athens….”